Dog Breed: Canadian Pointer
The Canadian Pointer is described as a medium sized dog with a powerfully built body that is covered with a 1 ½ inch coarse coat. Despite the name, this breed that belongs to the HPR (hunting, pointing and retrieving) group was actually developed in United States and not in Canada. This gundog that is utilized to hunt, point, and retrieve foxes, rabbits and other upland small game was the result of a crossing Labrador Retrievers, English Pointers and Portuguese Pointers in 1880s.
Measured at the withers, the Canadian Pointer stands about 30 inches and weighs from 48 to 60 pounds. Also known as Adirondak Pointing Dog, a Canadian Pointer closely resembles its ancestors thus it is often mistaken for an English Pointer. A point of distinction between the two breeds is the shorter ears and the thicker coat of the Canadian Pointer. The thick coats of Canadian Pointers allows these dogs to hunt in the very cold temperatures of the mountains. Coat color combination of this breed range from light brown and white, dark brown and white and black and white.
Although the Canadian Pointer was specifically developed to be a hunter, this dog breed does not have the agility of other HPR breeds. Canadian Pointers are not as nimble as the English Pointer because the hind quarters and the front quarters somewhat limit the dog's stance. Canadian Pointers though are very healthy dogs and known to have a life expectancy of about 15 years.
This breed has a hunting, pointing and retrieving ancestry but it also the temperament most wanted in a family companion. Due to this breeds eagerness to please personality, Canadian Pointers are usually hunted on weekends and on weekdays, these dogs make ideal family companions. Intelligent and obedient by nature, the dog trains easily. Aside from the ease of housebreaking, this dog easily learns tricks as well. Grooming will not be a problem either as a Canadian Pointer has a low maintenance coat.
A Canadian Pointer has a sensitive scenting ability. This breed can be a dependable guard dog as it has a well developed instinct to protect the family. This is not a ferocious breed, this dog is noted to have a calm temperament but it does not mean that the dog would not move with alacrity if the family is threatened. This breed is first and foremost a hunter but it has adapted to the less active life of a home companion. This even tempered dog makes a good family pet as it can be the gentle and tolerant playmate of the kids.
